SAFETY FIRST

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 576, 31 January 1929, Page 13

SAFETY FIRST

REASONS FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL MORE SPEED PREDICTED ••Regulation of traffic has as its primary objective the safety of the public. Secondly, the object is to keep the highways open to legitimate commerce.’’ In these words, Mr. George Hogan. Cliicf Traffic Inspector, summarised the duties of his department in an address to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to-day. The rate of progress, he remarked, pointed to there being five times as much traffic in the future as at present. This meant that traffic regulations must be made considerably more stringent. Two years ago. he pointed out. 30,000 vehicles a day were passing the Grafton Bridge-Karangaliape Road junction, which was the busiest corner in New Zealand. New outlets were becoming daily of more importance. An extraordinary feature of street traffic was that it automatically drifted to the intersections, where there was a point officer. “You will have noticed that there has been a noticeable decline in the quality of car-drivers,” remarked Mr. Hogan. Tie attributed this to the laxity in competency examinations, too many local bodies having the power to issue driving licences, and to there being insufficient tests to ensure that a driver was really capable. It spoke well for the present trafficcontrol that for 18 months intersections under the control of officers had a clean sheet in the way of accidents. He complimented the Automobile Association on its activities in the direction of educating its members. Only about two per cent, of prosecutions were against A.A.A. members, which was a compliment to their ability rnd their inclination to obey the regulations. Discussing parking, Mr. liogan questioned the necessity for all-day parking. The damage to the vehicle was immense. Business men would realise that the highways had to be left open. “Pedestrian control is of the utmost importance,” remarked Mr. Hogan. “Lines on the streets and roads are obeyed to a certain extent, but the time is coming when street traffic will have to be speeded up over intersections, and pedestrians will not be able to use the streets against traffic. Against their wills they will have to give way, as the progress of traffic forces the position.” Mr. Hogan cefcisidered that the time had come for special instruction to children to prepare them for the changes that must come.